The Friends of Aspen held their thirteenth annual meeting at the Museum of Science and Technology in Milan. As per tradition, at the opening of proceedings the group’s latest members were introduced, and then a brief account was given of the Friends’ activities over the past two years, which have been characterized by efforts to provide fresh insights into the work involved in running a business day-to-day, with a focus on encouraging new generations to take up the mantle. This was followed by a debate covering a range of topics suggested by those in attendance with a view to identifying the topic for discussion at the group’s next annual conference to be held in spring. The floor was then given to the guest of the meeting, Professor Luciano Maiani, a theoretical physicist who until July 2011 headed up the Italian National Research Council (CNR), who facilitated a debate regarding the myths and reality of research in Italy which hinged on the primary role that scientific and cultural knowledge have to play in the development of society and the economy.
Statistics presented during the meeting (published by The Royal Society, the UK’s Academy of Sciences) were pointed to as indicating that Italy ranks sixth worldwide in terms of scientific output, making it one of the most globally competitive countries in research. It was noted, however, that in order to keep pace with other European competitors, significant measures will undoubtedly need to be put in place with a view to preventing Italy from losing ground. Highlighted as the main concern was the issue of funding, with the suggestion that while public spending on research is slightly lower than in other Western countries, the real gap to be bridged is in the area of private sector funding.
It was observed that the problem is one of a structural nature: Italy has a myriad of small firms that undertake little research. In addition, the country’s manufacturing base is focused on less research-intensive sectors than that of other countries. Investment from big business – the major funding source for research activity – is not always sufficient, making it imperative to find ways of drawing the spheres of industry and innovation closer together.
One of the more interesting solutions cited as a means being deployed to improve these links is the creation of spin-off companies. In recent years, considerable efforts have made to encourage the establishment by laboratories and universities of new entrepreneurial ventures, although it was suggested that this is an approach that must be used with caution: while it is crucial to promote research and development in technology sectors where small and medium enterprises are underrepresented, this must not be at the cost of diverting precious resources away from initiatives aimed at fostering industrial development and the growth in size of other firms.
It was felt that what would serve to resolve these and other critical issues is a coherent package of measures – one that does not effect a radical reversal of the progress made to date, but rather takes steps to: safeguard and map out the use of funding slated for research, carry out a systematic evaluation of the actors involved (whether they be institutions or individual researchers), and simplify the bureaucratic procedures involved.
The discussion also touched upon other important issues for the economy and society, including possible development models capable of ensuring a return to recovery and a resumption in the creation of human capital. By way of conclusion, those present invoked the oft-repeated mantra of the importance of efforts to improve the efficiency of the entire educational system, from elementary schools to universities, infusing it with an international outlook and a greater responsiveness to labor market needs.